movies Archives

What happened at HIFF (Besides the Films!)

[pics galore] Hi there! Just thought I'd share the blog I made with all the Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival events. It was a great week thanks to some fantastic volunteers and staff. The films I saw were, for the most part, epic. Here's some photos!

Swallow the Watermelon Whole

Vertov Industries presents a smorgasbord of moving picture shows! Two free nights of uncompromising filmos that will leave you hungry for more! Come savor the cinematic delicacies grown fresh in Hawaii.

Friday, May 19th
Zipper Catches Skin (120 minutes)
Movie starts at 6:00 pm
Along with the enigmatic masked Leon as their guide, skid row regulars Downey, Pesh and Sprague learn about the power of outward appearances – the hard way.

Saturday, May 20th
Better Lawns (180 minutes)
Movie starts at 4:30 pm
click for photo
A film competition is held to fill a hole in the Dept. of Culture & Arts! Creativity optional.

Windward Community College Campus. This is a FREE EVENT, but attendees must call in advance to reserve their seat and get location info. Call anytime 845-4793

Little Gold Statues

It's that time of the year again. The nominations for the 76th annual Academy Awards were announced this morning. Once again, being an uncool domesticated dad, I've barely seen a fifth of the movies on the list. Any nominees you liked? Any movies you think should have made the cut?

50 First Dates

Blaine's post on Iz reminded me of another piece of news. The unstoppable "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is featured prominently in the upcoming film "50 First Dates," starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. But the film itself offers locals and locals-at-heart more than a great soundtrack: "50 First Dates" was filmed in several island locations.

The "New" Magnum P.I. & Hawaii 5.0

Is it just me or do other people find it offensive that George Clooney may become the "new" Thomas Magnum or at least his younger brother? Or how about Mel Gibson as the "new" Steve McGarrett? In today's Star Bulletin online, the Reel News column dishes the Hollywood gossip on these roles.

Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

With just four days until LOTR: Return of the King is released I was wondering if anyone's participating in a line party for the tuesday midnight opening on Oahu. Unfortunately, Wallace Theaters isn't showing the extended versions of the first two movies here in Hilo but we will be in line early to see LOTR: ROTK.

Dr. Seuss's Cat In The Hat

Lisa and I went to see Cat In The Hat last night at Ward Theatre.

The Haunted Mansion

Saw The Haunted Mansion on Wednesday night at the Kukui Grove Cinema.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Just saw Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World at the Kukui Grove Cinema, which is located in Lihue.

Matrix Revolutions

Ok, it's been out for a few weeks now. Loved it? Hated it? Indifferent? Conclusive or head scratcher? Because I've been a Matrix geek from the beginning, I'm interested in people's take on the third and final(?) installment of the MatrixTrilogy. For the sake of those who haven't seen it yet, I'll refrain from any spoilers (although once comments come in...if they do...you're on your own). At any rate, Isobal and I really enjoyed it for the most part despite some pretty major plot holes. I don't think the Wachowskis so much dropped the ball on Revolutions as they did left them hovering right in front of us. Opinions?

Scary Movie 3

Saw Scary Movie 3 at the Ward 16 on Sunday afternoon.

Actors Sought

Vertov Industries, makers of the award-winning SLEEPLESS tv anthology, is holding an open casting call for lead, support and extra roles in an independent movie to be shot locally through September and October for film festival competition. ALL TYPES WELCOME. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE NOT REQUIRED.

Local People Doing Local Things

FILM SCREENING:
Date: May 10, Saturday
Time: 6:30 p.m. (show runs 7-9:30 p.m.)
Cost: $10
Location: Revealed after ticket is purchased.

Always setting out to blaze a trail for film-making in Hawaii, Vertov Industries (the independent film crew I work with) have created yet another film that is sure to become your new fiction favorite.

Better Luck Tomorrow

A long time coming, I gotta watch this.

The Varsity

Having moved to Honolulu from Atlanta, when somebody told Baz and I that we should check out The Varsity because it was in our neighborhood, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. See, The Varsity is an Atlanta fast food historical landmark. A true car hop, you can sit in your yuppie mobile and be served the greasiest fries and orange creamsicle shakes by friendly car hops in oldey timey red paper hats that say Varsity in wonderful collegiate sports type across both sides.

When I found out that Honolulu's Varsity was a movie theatre, I was left hungry and disappointed. Until I actually drove by and saw the place....

Adaptation

Saw the movie Adaptation early this afternoon with a friend at Ward Theatre.

Narc

Saw Narc today at Ward with Albert.

About Schmidt

Saw About Schmidt at Ward with a couple of friends today.

Star Trek: Nemesis

Saw Star Trek: Nemesis a second time at the Ward Theatres tonight.

The Two Towers

Saw The Two Towers at Ward tonight.

Catch Me If You Can

Saw Catch Me If You Can with a friend on Christmas Day.

Solaris

Went to see Solaris at Dole Canery on Saturday afternoon.

Movie Mistakes

movie-mistakes.com is an amusing site. They tally 94 mistakes in the new Harry Potter film. (Somebody surely pays more attention to a movie than I do.)

Die Another Day

Went to see Die Another Day at the Ward Theatre this afternoon.

To be honest I am more of a Star Trek fan, than I am a 007 fan but I did vote for the 007 movie in our HawaiiStories poll. It was more of a symathy vote than anything else.

Waikiki Theaters Closed

The Waikiki Theaters closed yesterday with no advanced announcement made to the public except for what was broadcast on the news last night and appeared in the paper today. It is another piece of our Honolulu that has gone by the wayside in favor of something bigger (Ward Movieplex) though probably not better.

I Oughtta Be in Pictures

Well. I finally did it. I broke down, and I purchased an individual membership with the Hawaii International Film Festival. The selection this year is wonderful, and Roger Ebert's shot-by-shot, three-day-seminar this year is on Citizen Kane. I had to do it.

simone@fear.com

Two upcoming movies dealing with computer related stuff are opening soon. Other than watching the previews on TV I have no idea how good or bad these movies are going to be as far as being accurate in dealing with the computer related matter.

Blue Crush

Michelle Rodriguez (from 2000's Girlfight) was on Leno tonight to promote Blue Crush, a movie about three female surfers working their way through life on the North Shore of O`ahu. She mentioned Foodland, compared the quirky aura of the islands to "Northern Exposure," and described Hawaii as a "fountain of youth." She clearly was affected by her time in the islands, which isn't surprising. One thing that did surprise me a little, though, was Leno's comment that the surf flick is getting pretty good reviews.

"I expected another mindless surfing movie," Ebert said. "Blue Crush is anything but."

Signs

If directing movies was like playing baseball, M. Night Shyamalan is not the kind of director that makes home run kind of hits, however if you ever needed a double to win a game, call this guy up to bat, he will do it and will cause some ruckus in the left outfield just to make the game interesting.

Cartoons going to live action

The past few years some cartoons made the cross over to live action like this year's Scooby Doo movie. While I have no connections to the powers to be that make such movies I would like to make the following suggestions.

The Long and Winding Road to Perdition

There are huge benefits to being an overworked, underpaid teacher of ungrateful learners--not the least of which is summer vacation!

I took full advantage today, leaping from my bed at the ungodly hour of 10:30, and cruising down to the Dole Cannery Theaters to catch whatever movie struck my fancy.

The new Paul Newman & Tom Hanks film, Road to Perdition, opened today, so I eagerly plunked down my five bucks and slid into my space in the sparsely-populated movie theater.

Lilo and Stitch, Part Deux

Now that the movie has opened, and the original thread has gotten crowded, perhaps this is a time to open up a second Lilo and Stitch thread.

Here's one review.

Scorpion King to Hawaiian King?

The Associated Press reported today that 'The Rock' — the wrestling and movie star Hawaii claims as one of its own — is hoping to play King Kamehameha in a motion picture based on his life. Believe it or not, 'The Rock' reports that Sony has already purchased the rights to the story. (Makes me wonder who owned it.)

I guess Dwayne Johnson picked up on something while attending Washington Intermediate and McKinley High School. But something tells me the movie will be less "Birth of a Kingdom" and more "Pali Smackdown!"

A Chance to get 'art'sy

Wallace Theaters at Restaurant Row hopes to become O'ahu's multi-plex of choice when it comes to art films. The theaters are eschewing the mainstream blockbusters in favor of "indies, documentaries, revivals and foreign films."

And it's about damn time...

No Spiders, No Clones

Now that we've gotten our obligatory Star Wars posts aside, I think it's a good time to talk about some of the other movies coming out this summer that don't involve Jedis, spiders, talking stoner dogs, or British secret agents.

(Though if you do want to post about Austin Powers or Scooby Doo, feel free.)

Decisions, decisions

Consolidated Amusement Co., the largest theater chain in the islands, has announced a price hike for tickets at 13 of their 15 locations.

With ticket prices in other major cities in the U.S. topping 10 dollars each, is the experience of moviegoing still worth the price of a stub?

Action, Danno.

After years of rumors, speculation, and if-ever cynicism, a "Hawaii 5-0" feature film finally seems to be nearing reality. After a ferocious bidding war, DreamWorks won the rights (over four others, reportedly) on Monday. A script is already written.

Lilo and Stitch

I'm so excited that Disney is finally releasing Lilo and Stitch soon. I'm curious to see how Hawaii is presented in the film: will there be an actual town or will Waikiki just be one big beach? Will Lilo live in a household with 2 other generations of cousins or will she have her own cute little grass shack? I hope they don't continue to make Hawaii out to be the "fantasy island" it's come to resemble in movies.

I heard there's some musical numbers by Elvis thrown in the mix. I wonder if any of Bruddah Iz's songs (or any other local bands for that matter) made it to the soundtrack?

Make My 'Golden Eye' Red

Halle Berry — now an "Oscar-winning actress" — plays a Bond girl named Jinx... and she very well may be just that.

The 20th installment in the James Bond movie franchise, "Die Another Day," is filmed in part in Hawaii. (For just a surf scene, I suspect, as other locales include Havana and Hong Kong.) In February, Pierce Brosnan injured his knee. And now during shooting in Spain, Berry got something in her eye.

Rock me, Salieri

Some theaters in the Mainland - and apparently, none in Hawaii - are now showing the director's cut of Amadeus. As with every other reissue, the elements are there: brand-new print, digitally remastered soundtrack, additional scenes deleted from original release.

Oscars

So, anybody watch? Every year, I am glued, because I am a sucker and I can't help it. It's a big "cool kid" popularity contest, but there are just far too may snarking possibilities.